Wooley gets it, I guess others don't

[freddymo]

Originally Posted by Kasept

The gambling genie is out of the bottle Frederich, and it's not my problem to put it back. Because the alternative gaming in lesser jurisdictions already exists and is syphoning horses from the major ovals, there needs to be some catch up played. I don't disagree with you on the dates concept and hard long term solutions, but better to apply the band-aid now and cure the disease after.

In NY, Albany's feet-dragging and malfeasance, and the conspiracy with the Lottery Division to foist the franchise away from the Association, has cost you and me and the rest of the taxpayers of the state hundreds of millions over the past 6-7 years. In addition, it has put NY in the same potential 'jackpot' that Maryland and Illinois found itself, and Kentucky is finding itself.

First of all the millions lost in tax revenue needs to be viewed for what it might mean. I am sure you will agree that it will cost the state 10's of millions in relief for people who simply get wiped out by the new toy. So you need to find the delta (net dollars) that the crimnal machines actually yield to the state.

It really doesn't matter slots don't seem to be in Aqueducts future any time remotely soon so its a ridiculious conversation. In NY NYRA seems to have a reasonable grasp of wants going on. I would still like to see racing only 4 days a week Dec thru April as there just arent enough horseman or horses in town. I will conceed that winter racing this year in NY was OK until March when the Sheat hit the fan. I have no clue wants going on in Ca. but that circut seems doomed.

[Kasept]

The gambling issue is a seperate philosophical debate.. But if NY is paying relief dollars to addicts, shouldn't they at least be addicts that are playing in NY and not Connecticut or Pennsylvania?

[freddymo]

Government aren't suppose to hurt people. You are going to be breeding a new gambling. One that takes there pay check or someone elses in the worst case to a local spot to shoot it up. Slots can't have ANY long term benefit for the game. Racing can do fine with out it. Just less racing.. If the business of NY racing expands on a suspect foundation it will do a lot more harm then if it grows organically and or contracts properly. When the people leave the slots, because they are wiped out maybe the state will start selling herion at Aqueduct for money..


You don't make it worse for people because you want your slice of the pie. You aren't talking about wealthy people going to Atlantis and losing 20k on the Black jack table. You are inviting seniors and hard working people to there demise and the argument that they are going to drive 130 miles to do it anyway is VERY suspious for all but a minority of the possible players.

[MisterB]

If the OTB's paid there fair share, no slots needed. Slots are a negative for horseracing. I am sure the slot people would be glad to put a hotel in the infield, and an oval parking lot.

[gales0678]

has anyone taken a look at what the slots at Yonkers have done for Yonkers Raceway - place is packed , purses are up , if it works there , why wouldn't it work at the Big A or Belmont?

People are going to go out and gamble on the 1 arm bandits whether you like it or not , why not let it help the industry rather than letting someone else (ac , foxwoods , yonkers)get it.

Freddy the buses are leaving everyday to AC with seniors and others , they get a free luch and some comps on chips .....yonkers has grabbed some of that busniness from westchester and the bronx , big a has the opportunity to grab those taking the daily bus rides from brooklyn , queens and nassau county

[sumitas]

Democrat Malcolm Smith was voted out as NYS Senate leader this Monday . In a strange turn of events, Smith's "Reverand" turned up as one of the principles in a new group that bid on the Aqueduct racino . It seems these 2 opportunists are out of the picture now. Which is a good thing .

And FLakes has a racino for those interested http://www.fingerlakesracetrack.com/Default.aspx

As does Tioga Downs the harness track in upstate http://www.tiogadowns.com/ ...fyi NYC billionaire investor and resident Jeff Gural , the owner, is part of a group bidding on the Aq racino.

I'd like to add that my republican upstate NY state senator Tom Libous, the district where Tioga Downs does business, played a pivotal role in the change in power in the NYS Senate . He is also on the NYS Racing and Wagering Board .

[sumitas]

http://www.tiogadowns.com/

My response to the tbred times article is that I disagree with it . NY government has been paralyzed with Smith as Senate leader . Chaos has reigned and no business was getting done . If some groups want to pull out of the bidding process they may just be expediting their failure .

With the new coalition leadership in the Senate the outlook for a responsible, qualified group to run the Aq casino has been enhanced, imo . As well as NY state's future in general .

http://pressconnects.com/article/200...2w4caU5a6F0%3D
""We're going to be able to govern," said Sen. Thomas Libous, R-Binghamton, who helped lead the coup on the Senate floor Monday. "We're going to be able to do more reform."

Said Vincent Leibell, R-Patterson, Putnam County: "This is genuine reform. The Senate will be administered in a non-partisan fashion."

"Rochester-area billionaire Tom Golisano helped orchestrate the leadership change...Golisano said his Responsible New York political action committee will back candidates who support reform."

And from Albany Times Union http://www.timesunion.com/AspStories...storyID=808527
Republicans strut their stuff.

The overthrow of Smith on youtube...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XM_S44n-sYU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dg3S1...eature=related

[dagolfer33]

I seems to me, based on this whole dialogue, that a serious campaign to convert a majority of these slot players into horseplayers could be the permanent solution.

[MaTH716]

Originally Posted by dagolfer33

I seems to me, based on this whole dialogue, that a serious campaign to convert a majority of these slot players into horseplayers could be the permanent solution.

It will never happen. Sure you would get some occasional slot players playing the ponies. But to expect the hard core slot players to convert over to horses all together is unrealistic.

[dagolfer33]

Originally Posted by MaTH716

It will never happen. Sure you would get some occasional slot players playing the ponies. But to expect the hard core slot players to convert over to horses all together is unrealistic.

Im just thinking, if we could get their money into our pools, then we could take their money instead of the government taking their money.